Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders affect about 5% of children and 2 ½% of adults.  Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity that interferes with functioning in school, work and at home.  With children, it is more than just being overly active.  AD/HD interferes with learning because your son or daughter is unable to pay attention for more than brief periods of time, thereby gaining only part of what is being taught.

Merely trying harder is not the solution, and special diets or vitamin supplements are not effective.  AD/HD is a biologically based disorder where the brain lacks necessary stimulation because of a neurochemical imbalance.  In many cases, treatment of AD/HD does not always require medication.  Behavior techniques and adjustments to the environment can result in substantial improvements.

If you or your child is having trouble with attention and concentration it is important to start with a comprehensive assessment.  A proper assessment is more than completing a checklist or having a brief interview conducted. A good assessment requires a comprehensive measurement of various aspects of cognitive functioning, including specific tests designed to measure symptoms of AD/HD.  With a good assessment, the likelihood of AD/HD being over-diagnosed goes down dramatically.

Common Symptoms of AD/HD:

• Inattention / Daydreaming
• Hyperactivity / Restlessness
• Trouble Following Directions
• Being Impulsive
• Being Overly Talkative
• Trouble Listening to Directions
• Being Easily Distracted
• Having Trouble Shifting Focus
• Being Forgetful or Losing Things
• Falling Behind in School or Work